It’s time for a democratic awakening in St Lucia originally appeared June 29, 2015. Caribbean News Global (CNG) reproduced with permission, five years to the date on recount to happenings in Saint Lucia.
Tired of the old politics and determined to make a real change?
In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Archaic political ideology, facilitators that invent false choices and economic models that are responsible for inequality and instability towards the degeneration of society, are overdue for a democratic awakening.
The principle consideration is finding the right combination rooted in community and a network of socio-economic reformists to respond to education and cultural change, poverty and healthcare, and to balance economic development linkages.
With investments in tertiary education, entrepreneurial development and export industries the progression to a skilled workforce will harness job creation and sustainable growth, research and development, besides an immigration policy that attracts the best and brightest, and a business investment component based on national priorities.
In order to witness this democratic awakening, the poor and middle class will be empowered with greater access to common services of society.
However, seeking this advantage requires a shift in priorities that speak to pragmatic bravery, to break open the comfort zone of the unpatriotic, flip-flopping, unashamed hypocrisy that permeates the status quo, modeled on a sense of favouritism that is based on unabashed loyalty, with no ability.
Everything hinges on a practical reformist agenda that transform habits, practice and mode of operation, into a hype-breed format, to restore public trust and repair external indemnity.
Many consider that capital development, trade and policy transformation go a long way to improve competitiveness to set the path that lies ahead.
Recent history documents a shift from agriculture (bananas) to light manufacturing (electronics and textiles) then a changeover to service sectors (largely tourism). What transpired was a period unprepared to flourish with a comprehensive development model.
Recent years have been pretty discouraging, with shadows of the past, collateral fears of a confused state of governance to measure, monitor, control, and prepare new measures to adopt new concepts in preparation for the next venture is evident.
To break destructive systems of life begins with the willingness to accept enhanced methods to leverage, build broader coalition and other strategic relationships towards the unprecedented step forward. Now, more than ever is the opportunity to blossom with enthusiasm, build on future ideas and visions, and to finally turn Saint Lucia onto a sustainable path.
The result is reliant not only on gaining the opportunities and resources, but to seize this moment in time, to move the country forward with purpose, character and untainted poise to overcome the current economic and political crisis that many fear.
To fulfill the country of the future, the old feeling of defeatism that Saint Lucians are not ready for real change outside of the established political status quo must be replaced with pragmatic optimism and deep thinking to assume responsibility.
Winston Churchill said: ”At the bottom of all the tributes paid to democracy, is the little man, walking into the little booth, with a little pencil, making a little cross on a little bit of paper – No amount of rhetoric or voluminous discussion can possibly palliate the overwhelming importance of that point.”
